“With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable” this quote by Thomas Fowell Buxton is proved true in Indian context by Ayush Sharma, 17 year old boy from Lucknow. Ayush got admission in Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) along with a full tuition waiver. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States is world’s foremost school for students willing to pursue studies in Engineering.

When asked about how he came to know about MIT, he said that he came to know about MIT when he was in class 7 or 8, and through path-breaking stories of their research published in international pages of newspapers. He further adds that he never thought that he would be applying for MIT as it always appeared a distant dream to him.

When asked about his journey to this point, Ayush said that although his written English was good but he faced great amount of difficulties in speaking and communicating in English. After class 11 many of his class mates joined various institutes but he joined Avanti, a social enterprise run by IIT alumni, where peer learning methods are used, the same methods appealed him and he joined AVANTI.

By the help of foreign application program, Ayush applied for Yale's Global Scholars Program, which is a short term summer course. Despite the language hurdle, Ayush not only qualified for the scholarship program but also received full tuition fee waiver.

Head of the Institute, where Ayush took his coaching tells that after returning from Yale, Ayush was completely transformed, he was more articulated and determined to join MIT or other top US institutes for his undergraduate studies.

Ayush himself said that after Yale’s summer course he became better at working with people and developed the ability of taking risk and accepting challenges. His confidence oozes out of his statement that “Now I know I can do something which is not entirely familiar to me.”

While telling about his family, Ayush tells that he will be the first of his family to get enrolled in a proper college. None of his parents attended a full degree college. His father started his job as a mechanic in the state public works department after finishing his diploma. He further adds that his parents supported his efforts, his father despite of his limited resources took him to Lucknow for his TOEFL exam and later to Delhi for SAT Examination.

On being asked about his future plans, Ayush said that he wants to pursue his interest in Physics but the final decision will be made only after completely exploring MIT’s offerings. He plans to work on the education system of Developing Countries.

We wish all the best to Ayush for his future and hope he reaches the zenith of his dreams.